Barack Obama assured he would save Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin if he were drowning.

“I absolutely would save Mr. Putin if he were drowning,” Obama said during a briefing in Seoul on Friday.

U.S. President said he used to be a good swimmer and recalled that he grew up in Hawaii, RIA Novosti reported.

The question came in response to Vladimir Putin's remark made during televised call-in show in Moscow. Putin was asked whether he thought Obama would save him.

The Russian leader described Obama as “decent and brave man”, adding that he would certainly save him.